Born Ruffians
Encyclopedia
Born Ruffians, formerly known as Mornington Drive, are a Canadian indie rock
band formed in 2004, originally from Midland, Ontario
, located near Georgian Bay
. They are currently signed to Warp Records
. The members are Luke Lalonde (guitar/vocals), Mitch Derosier (bass) and Steven Hamelin (drums). Recently, the band have recruited Andy Lloyd (guitar/keyboard) to fill in for live shows.
with their debut single, "This Sentence Will Ruin/Save Your Life," as well as a cover of Grizzly Bear
's single "Knife" which the band recorded live on KEXP
. In 2007, they released the single "Hummingbird," which was included on their first album Red, Yellow & Blue
.
They have toured with Franz Ferdinand
, Caribou
, Peter Bjorn and John
, Hot Chip
, The Hidden Cameras
, Tokyo Police Club
and The Honorary Title
. They toured Canada (mostly Ontario) throughout April 2008, completing the North American leg of their tour on April 26, 2008, with an album release party at Lee's Palace
in Toronto. In May and June 2008, they finished their UK tour and continued touring throughout Europe.
They appeared in the British teen drama Skins
, playing "Hummingbird" in a Brooklyn night club. The song is also featured in a television advert in the UK for Orange mobile telecommunications' "Animal" campaign.
"Hummingbird" is also featured in a car advertisement in Australia
The band was featured in episode seven of the comedic web series, Nirvana the Band the Show, playing as themselves as they rehearse with a new member of the band. On July 31, 2009 the Born Ruffians played for Nirvana the Band at The Rivoli
for the wrap of their web-series. Footage of this show will be included in episode ten.
They toured Australia in January and February 2009 as part of St Jerome's Laneway Festival
along with Girl Talk, Stereolab, Architecture In Helsinki, The Hold Steady, The Drones, Cut Off Your Hands, Four Tet, Tame Impala, El Guincho, Jay Reatard, Buraka Som Sistema Dj/Mc Set, The Temper Trap
, No Age and more.
Born Ruffians' "Red Yellow and Blue" was nominated in the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards
for Pop/Rock Album of the year.
In 2009 they recorded a cover of two Aphex Twin
songs for Warp20 (Recreated)
, a compilation.
The follow-up to their 2008 LP, Red, Yellow & Blue
, was released June 1, 2010, entitled Say It
. The new album was recorded at Metalworks Studios in Toronto and mastered at Rusty Santos
' studio in Brooklyn. The first single from Say It
was "Sole Brother" with two subsequent singles 'What To Say' and 'Nova Leigh'.
In April 2011, their single "Little Garçon" appeared in an American Express
commercial, Real Tweets, which included edited versions of tweets from @activecultures and others.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band formed in 2004, originally from Midland, Ontario
Midland, Ontario
Midland is a town located on Georgian Bay in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada.Situated at the southern end of Georgian Bay's 30,000 Islands, Midland is the economic centre of the region, with a 125-bed hospital and a local airport. It is the main town of the southern Georgian Bay area...
, located near Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is a large bay of Lake Huron, located entirely within Ontario, Canada...
. They are currently signed to Warp Records
Warp Records
Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
. The members are Luke Lalonde (guitar/vocals), Mitch Derosier (bass) and Steven Hamelin (drums). Recently, the band have recruited Andy Lloyd (guitar/keyboard) to fill in for live shows.
History
The band moved from Midland to Toronto in 2004. After some local performances and a growing online reputation, the band was signed to the UK electronic music label Warp Records. They released their self-titled debut EP in 2006. It was recorded by Ryan Mills at Little King Studio (now Sleepytown Sound). They have received extensive airplay on CBC Radio 3CBC Radio 3
CBC Radio 3 is a radio station that consists of two parts devoted to Canadian arts and music: a radio service which is available on Sirius Satellite Radio and streaming audio, and several daily and weekly podcasts from the CBC Radio 3 website...
with their debut single, "This Sentence Will Ruin/Save Your Life," as well as a cover of Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear (band)
Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
's single "Knife" which the band recorded live on KEXP
KEXP
KEXP-FM is a public radio station based in Seattle, Washington, that specializes in alternative and indie rock programmed by its disc jockeys. Its broadcasting license is owned by the University of Washington, which operates the station in a partnership with Paul Allen's Experience Music Project...
. In 2007, they released the single "Hummingbird," which was included on their first album Red, Yellow & Blue
Red, Yellow & Blue
Red, Yellow & Blue is the debut album by the indie-rock band Born Ruffians. It was released on March 4, 2008 in the United States and Canada and May 26 in the UK/Europe. "Hummingbird" was the first single off the album, followed by "Foxes Mate for Life." The band teamed up with Rusty Santos,...
.
They have toured with Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand (band)
Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish post-punk revival band formed in Glasgow in 2002. The band is composed of Alex Kapranos , Bob Hardy , Nick McCarthy , and Paul Thomson .The band first experienced chart success when their second single, "Take Me Out", reached #3 in...
, Caribou
Caribou (musician)
Daniel Victor Snaith is a composer, musician and recording artist under stage names Caribou, Manitoba and Daphni. Under the supervision of Kevin Buzzard, he obtained a PhD in mathematics at Imperial College London.- Career:...
, Peter Bjorn and John
Peter Bjorn and John
Peter Bjorn and John are a Swedish indie rock band, formed in Stockholm in 1999 and named after the first names of the band's members: Peter Morén , Björn Yttling and John Eriksson .They are best known for the 2006 single "Young Folks", which...
, Hot Chip
Hot Chip
Hot Chip are an English electronic indie band. They have released four studio albums—Coming on Strong, The Warning, Made in the Dark and One Life Stand.-Formation:...
, The Hidden Cameras
The Hidden Cameras
The Hidden Cameras are a Canadian indie pop band. Fronted by singer-songwriter Joel Gibb, the band consists of a varying roster of musicians who play what Gibb once described as "gay church folk music"...
, Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club is an indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. It consists of vocalist and bassist David Monks , keyboardist Graham Wright, guitarist Josh Hook , and drummer Greg Alsop ....
and The Honorary Title
The Honorary Title
The Honorary Title was an indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The band released their first self titled Ep "The Honorary Title" in 2003 and then their first album in 2004, Anything Else But the Truth, which was later re-released with five additional songs and two bonus videos.In early 2007...
. They toured Canada (mostly Ontario) throughout April 2008, completing the North American leg of their tour on April 26, 2008, with an album release party at Lee's Palace
Lee's Palace
Lee's Palace is a concert hall located on the south side of Bloor Street West east of Lippincott Avenue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The facility consists of a converted motion picture theatre and can accommodate several hundred guests.- Founding :...
in Toronto. In May and June 2008, they finished their UK tour and continued touring throughout Europe.
They appeared in the British teen drama Skins
Skins (TV series)
Skins is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness , adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death...
, playing "Hummingbird" in a Brooklyn night club. The song is also featured in a television advert in the UK for Orange mobile telecommunications' "Animal" campaign.
"Hummingbird" is also featured in a car advertisement in Australia
The band was featured in episode seven of the comedic web series, Nirvana the Band the Show, playing as themselves as they rehearse with a new member of the band. On July 31, 2009 the Born Ruffians played for Nirvana the Band at The Rivoli
The Rivoli
The Rivoli is a bar, restaurant and performance space, established in 1982, on Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario. The club originally earned a reputation as one of Canada's hippest music clubs, and many major Canadian comedy and musical performers have played on its stage, including The Kids in...
for the wrap of their web-series. Footage of this show will be included in episode ten.
They toured Australia in January and February 2009 as part of St Jerome's Laneway Festival
St Jerome's Laneway Festival
Known simply as the Laneway or St. Jerome's Festival, the music festival began in Caledonian Lane in Melbourne in 2004. Emerging as an indie music event, the Laneway Festival has grown rapidly in popularity, receiving favourable reviews in music press....
along with Girl Talk, Stereolab, Architecture In Helsinki, The Hold Steady, The Drones, Cut Off Your Hands, Four Tet, Tame Impala, El Guincho, Jay Reatard, Buraka Som Sistema Dj/Mc Set, The Temper Trap
The Temper Trap
The Temper Trap is an Australian indie rock band which formed in 2005. The core members are Jonathon Aherne on bass guitar and vocals, Toby Dundas on drums and programming, Dougy Mandagi on vocals and guitar, and Lorenzo Sillitto on guitar, keyboards and vocals. They are supplemented on tours with...
, No Age and more.
Born Ruffians' "Red Yellow and Blue" was nominated in the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
for Pop/Rock Album of the year.
In 2009 they recorded a cover of two Aphex Twin
Aphex Twin
Richard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
songs for Warp20 (Recreated)
Warp20 (Recreated)
Warp20 is a compilation album released by Warp Records in 2009. It contains covers of Warp artists, such as Aphex Twin, LFO, Boards of Canada and Grizzly Bear by other Warp artists, such as Plaid, Autechre and Mira Calix.-Track listing:...
, a compilation.
The follow-up to their 2008 LP, Red, Yellow & Blue
Red, Yellow & Blue
Red, Yellow & Blue is the debut album by the indie-rock band Born Ruffians. It was released on March 4, 2008 in the United States and Canada and May 26 in the UK/Europe. "Hummingbird" was the first single off the album, followed by "Foxes Mate for Life." The band teamed up with Rusty Santos,...
, was released June 1, 2010, entitled Say It
Say It (Born Ruffians album)
-Background:As Born Ruffians confirmed the upcoming release of the album, they announced their intentions for the new album: "If Born Ruffians’ 2008 debut album Red Yellow and Blue was the result of a talented and precocious gang of freshmen, their 2010 follow-up, Say It, would be the project they...
. The new album was recorded at Metalworks Studios in Toronto and mastered at Rusty Santos
Rusty Santos
Rusty Santos is a Record producer and Singer-songwriter based in New York City. He is known for producing, recording, mixing and/or mastering records like Animal Collective’s Sung Tongs and the reissue of Danse Manatee, Panda Bear’s Young Prayer and Person Pitch, Born Ruffians’ Red, Yellow & Blue,...
' studio in Brooklyn. The first single from Say It
Say It (Born Ruffians album)
-Background:As Born Ruffians confirmed the upcoming release of the album, they announced their intentions for the new album: "If Born Ruffians’ 2008 debut album Red Yellow and Blue was the result of a talented and precocious gang of freshmen, their 2010 follow-up, Say It, would be the project they...
was "Sole Brother" with two subsequent singles 'What To Say' and 'Nova Leigh'.
In April 2011, their single "Little Garçon" appeared in an American Express
American Express
American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best...
commercial, Real Tweets, which included edited versions of tweets from @activecultures and others.
Studio Albums
| Year | Album | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 (As Mornington Drive) | The Makeshift Metric Catastrophe The Makeshift Metric Catastrophe The Makeshift Metric Catastrophe by Born Ruffians' previous band name, Mornington Drive, is an album the band recorded independently in 2004. It contains 12 listed tracks and 1 bonus track.- Track listing:# Sun Takes The Sky # Diverting On Norm... |
Independent Independent record label An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:... |
CD |
| 2008 | Red, Yellow & Blue Red, Yellow & Blue Red, Yellow & Blue is the debut album by the indie-rock band Born Ruffians. It was released on March 4, 2008 in the United States and Canada and May 26 in the UK/Europe. "Hummingbird" was the first single off the album, followed by "Foxes Mate for Life." The band teamed up with Rusty Santos,... |
Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download |
| 2010 | Say It Say It (Born Ruffians album) -Background:As Born Ruffians confirmed the upcoming release of the album, they announced their intentions for the new album: "If Born Ruffians’ 2008 debut album Red Yellow and Blue was the result of a talented and precocious gang of freshmen, their 2010 follow-up, Say It, would be the project they... |
Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download |
EPs
| Year | Album | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Born Ruffians EP | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download |
| 2010 | Plinky Plonk EP | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD and Digital Download |
Singles
| Year | Title | Label | Format | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | This Sentence Will Ruin/Save Your Life | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download | Born Ruffians EP |
| Piecing It Together | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download | ||
| 2007 | Hummingbird | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download | Red, Yellow & Blue Red, Yellow & Blue Red, Yellow & Blue is the debut album by the indie-rock band Born Ruffians. It was released on March 4, 2008 in the United States and Canada and May 26 in the UK/Europe. "Hummingbird" was the first single off the album, followed by "Foxes Mate for Life." The band teamed up with Rusty Santos,... |
| 2008 | Hummingbird (Re-Release) | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download | |
| Little Garçon | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download | ||
| I Need A Life | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download | ||
| 2010 | Sole Brother | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download | Say It Say It (Born Ruffians album) -Background:As Born Ruffians confirmed the upcoming release of the album, they announced their intentions for the new album: "If Born Ruffians’ 2008 debut album Red Yellow and Blue was the result of a talented and precocious gang of freshmen, their 2010 follow-up, Say It, would be the project they... |
| What To Say | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download | ||
| Nova Leigh | Warp Records Warp Records Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music.... |
CD, Vinyl and Digital Download |